Zeiss lenses on Leica body?

[Krosya]

Hi All,
I think I saw this thread but can't find it. So, if someone can point me to it - it would be great. Or, of there was not one - can someone please tell me if ZM lenses work ok on Leica M bodies? I knwo both are M mount, but I remember seeing some info online that there were some slight differences as to how focus is calibrated on ZM lenses vs Leica ones due to one assumes that film in Leica vs Zeiss Ikon bows a little one way vs the other and that affects focus on fast and long lenses.
In other words - do fast ZM lenses focus as well on Leica bodies wide open as they do on Ikon? And the other way around - Leica lenses on Ikon as well as on Leica Ms?
I'm thinking more and more of Sonnar, but I'd use it wide open a lot and since I don't have Ikon, but M6 - would I have any focusing issues?
Thanks.

 

[peter_n]

I think most people here who are using a mix of lens manufacturers on either Leica or ZI bodies are pretty happy. I know I am. You mention the ZM Sonnar and there were a couple of threads recently around the focusing of this lens on a Leica body. If you enter the terms Sonnar focus Leica into the search engine you should see all the relevant threads.

 

[sepiareverb]

How about the ZM25 on an M5? Anyone know if that combo is ok?

 

[foto_fool]

There are two appropriate answers to this question:

1) Nothing but Leica lenses EVER focus properly on anything but Leica bodies! Now raus - macht schnell! and go buy only Leica lenses!

2) Each M-mount body carries the lens - whatever manufacture - and film a little differently. Get used to it - get over it.

I'm not voting on one over the other, mind you.

BTW I have my new ZM Sonnar on my Hexar right now but have not developed a roll yet, or tried it on the M6 - will post something when I have a result. Your results may vary.

ABTW - given the much discussed softness and "close-focus issues" of the Sonnar when shot wide open, I'm guessing any flange distance differences or collimation issues are angels dancing on the head of a pin.

- John

 

[SDK]

I have several Zeiss and Leica lenses and only use M bodies now (though I have a Hexar RF sitting in a cabinet waiting for me to readjust the vertical alignment). I do not notice any difference in focus accuracy or infinity resolution between brands, even in my 8.75X enlargements.

The 50mm C-Sonnar does have some focus shift issues, but they are not dependent on the body, just the aperture and focus distance.

 

[Matthew Runkel]

How about the ZM25 on an M5? Anyone know if that combo is ok?

I have found that this combination works very well with no problems at all. I mostly use f/2.8 and f/4. I have not done any systematic testing on a tripod, nor do I have any plans to. I have not had any trouble with metering. If need be, it isn't hard to figure out the edges of the metering area.

 

[rpsawin]

How about the ZM25 on an M5? Anyone know if that combo is ok?

I use a zi m 25 on my m2 & m6 and have great results. This combination may, however, cause certain marketing folk in Germany to loose sleep.

Bob

 

[icebear]

50/2 Planar on M6 ok

50/2 Planar on M6 ok

I recently got a ZM Planar for use on an M6 and there are no issues. I didn't shoot any critical tests like wide open closest focusing distance to compare with my summicron but definately nothing obvious - I guess no one would expect that with a lens made for the M system...

 

[awilder]

I actually tested a ZM 50/2 Planar with my resolution test charts and retuned it because there was a focusing problem in which the lens had to be refocused slightly towards infinity to get sharpest central focus even though rf focus seemed spot on at infinity. This seemed in keeping with Erwin Puts report seen here: http://www.imx.nl/photosite/comments/c016.html under MECHANICAL QUALITIES.

 

[kbg32]

I use my ZM 25 on my Ms film and digital. Fantastic lens.

 

[sepiareverb]

Good to hear! I am on my way selling gear to come up with the 25!

 

[PaulDalex]

sepiareverb,
I regularly use the ZM 35/2 on my M5 and it has become my preferred gear combo. I am kind of "f8 and be there", so I don't know about wide open performance. But as I already stated the results indicate a leap ahead in optical technology. For example I have the Contax 35/2,8 which is an excellent lens but it cannot come close to what this magic lens is able to capture. Try for yourself. Highly recommended.

 

[sepiareverb]

Soon! Soon! Soon!

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[x-ray]

I have both Zeiss and Leica glass shooting on both M Leicas and ZI bodies. Absolutely no problems with either mixed in any way.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Berliner]

Konica-M, Leica M, Zeiss-M, VC-M/LTM lenses on my MP & M6 bodies--no problemo, though some look better than others...

 

[brachal]

Is it possible that y'all could be confused by the Soviet decision to make LTM lenses with the Zeiss Contax focal registration? Soviet LTM lenses have a close focus issue on non-Soviet bodies because of this. I would imagine that both Zeiss and Leica adhere to the "M-mount standard."

Sorry to mention FSU gear in the Leica forum!

 

[peter_n]

Sorry to mention FSU gear in the Leica forum!

Why? They work on the cameras and the glass is excellent!

 

[brachal]

Why? They work on the cameras and the glass is excellent!

I agree -- great glass. I guess as an FSU/Bessa guy I feel a little like the poor country cousin visiting here. 😉